Air France says Brazilian media quoted “invalidated” statement

Paris, FRANCE (BNO NEWS) — Air France was incorrectly quoted in Brazilian news reports on Monday, apparently saying that details from the passenger list of Air France flight 447 had been released, a spokesman told BNO News.

According to several Brazilian news reports, which quoted Air France and was picked up by several international news organizations, the plane was carrying a total of 76 French, 18 Germans, 9 Italians, 6 Americans, 5 Chinese, 4 Hungarian, 2 Spanish, 2 British, 2 Moroccans and 2 Irish. One citizen from each of the following countries were also said to be on board: Angola, Argentina, Belgium, Iceland, Philippines, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Austria and Turkey.

A spokesman for Air France, however, told BNO News that the reports came from an “invalidated” Air France statement, which had not been confirmed. Information on the passengers was said to be released soon, according to the spokesman, who stressed the numbers were incorrect. “The situation is a big confuse,” he added.